The University of Texas at Tyler Students in Free Enterprise was named a regional champion at the SIFE 2011 USA Regional Competition in Dallas, Dr. Harold Doty, College of Business and Technology dean, announced.

This is the second consecutive year UT Tyler SIFE has been awarded the honor. As a regional champion, the organization advances to the 2011 SIFE USA National Exposition May 10 – 12 in Minneapolis, Minn.

Participating students use business concepts to develop community outreach projects that improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need.

Among projects organized this academic year, the UT Tyler team traveled to Nicaragua to help create a business marketing plan for native women who make jewelry from recycled paper products. They also continued their partnership with the East Texas Crisis Center, assisting center clients with job skills.

The culmination of the
SIFE program is an annual series of competitions that provide a forum for teams
to present the results of their projects and to be evaluated by business
leaders serving as judges. Teams compete first at the regional and national
levels, then at the international level when the national champion teams from
each country meet at the SIFE World Cup.

UT Tyler SIFE is one of
more than 500 SIFE programs in the United States.

SIFE is an international
non-profit organization that brings together the top leaders of today and
tomorrow to create a better, more sustainable world through the positive power
of business.

Founded in 1975, SIFE has
active programs on more than 1,500 college and university campuses in 40
countries.

For more information,
contact Tammy Cowart, UT Tyler assistant professor of business law and SIFE
adviser, 903.566.7217 or TCowart@uttyler.edu.

One of the 15 campuses of the
UT System, UT Tyler offers excellence in teaching, research, artistic
performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate
degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 6,400
high-ability students at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine.